A delegation of reporters from countries and regions in the Global South visited Sanya on November 27-28, where they explored the cdf Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex, Sanya International Yacht Center, Sanya Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City Bougainvillea Science Expo Park, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Hainan Research Institute, and Sanya Electron Accelerator Mutagenesis Breeding Laboratory. Their on-site visits to these industry breeding grounds gave them an in-depth insight into the fast-paced development of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) in duty-free consumption, yachts, agricultural science & technology, and other industrial chains.

Dividends of Hainan's unique island-departure duty-free shopping policy explored

The delegation's first stop in Sanya was the CDF Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex. Bustling with shoppers, the ultra-modern shopping space features a dazzling array of international brands, ranging from cosmetics and watches to fashion accessories.

The Global South media delegation visits the CDF Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex. (Photo provided by the organizer)

"The competitive prices and a complete range of products have made this trip worthwhile. I actually bought an iPhone while I was here," said Toelsie-Indrawatie, a reporter from Suriname's Starnieuws. She noted that the launch of island-wide special customs operations of Hainan FTP will attract more international shoppers and transform Hainan into a new highland for global tourism retail.

Decoding the "blue opportunities" of Hainan's yacht industry

Later, the media delegation visited the Sanya International Yacht Center to gain an in-depth understanding of Sanya's yacht industry development. In recent years, with the implementation of a series of targeted policies, including zero-tariff yacht purchases, legalized leasing, the establishment of night navigation zones, and the pilot relaxation of crew quotas to 26 people, the Hainan FTP's yacht industry has entered a period of rapid development.

The Global South media delegation visit the Sanya International Yacht Center during their tour of Hainan. (Photo provided by the organizer)

During the delegation's visit, Wang Chencheng, Director of Investment Promotion for the Cruise and Yacht Department of the Sanya Central Business District Administration, explained that the center is a comprehensive platform built to support the Hainan's FTP transformation into a "Yacht Industry Reform and Development Innovation Pilot Zone." He stated that the International Yacht Center aims to become a world-class yacht "shop window," a hub for domestic yacht brands' global expansion, and an attractive urban reception space.

The location's international vibe sparked enthusiastic questioning from the delegation. "How is Hainan developing its tourism industry, especially in regard to leveraging the yacht industry to boost tourism?" "What are some successful aspects of Sanya International Yacht Marina that you can share? Sri Lanka has similar marinas but hasn't achieved the same level of success as Sanya." "With Hainan's island-wide special customs operations approaching, we hope Indonesia and Hainan can deepen cooperation in the yacht industry and expand two-way investment opportunities."

As the interview session progressed, the reporters began capturing the details of this maritime window on camera. With island-wide special customs operations fast approaching, Sanya International Yacht Center is signaling to the world that Hainan's yacht industry is setting sail, backed by solid hardware infrastructure and open FTP policies.

Witnessing the pace of technological innovation and development at Yazhou Bay

On the afternoon of November 27, the media delegation stepped into a "new world of flowers" when they visited the Bougainvillea Science Expo Park in Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City.

The Global South media delegation tour Sanya's

Bougainvillea Science Expo Park.(Photo provided by the organizer)

What makes this flower park so different from the rest is its AR-enhanced immersive experience zone, which instantly transported the reporters into a dreamy play of light and shadow, where every step feels like a fairytale movie. As they walked through the zone, they saw approximately 450 varieties of bougainvillea germplasm resources displayed in full-3D, weaving a rich landscape composed of five thematic chapters and twelve scenic spots.

"The Bougainvillea Science Expo Park is not just a floral feast, but a harmonious blend of scientific research and breathtaking beauty," said Sabrican Tiknazoglu, a reporter from Turkey's Aydinlik newspaper. It was his first time encountering such a wide variety of bougainvillea, and he was deeply impressed by the integration of technological elements.

On the morning of November 28, the reporters, fully recharged after a night's sleep, ventured into the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Hainan Research Institute, embarking on a technology-filled journey to the blue depths.

The Global South media delegation visits the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Hainan Research Institute. (Photo provided by the organizer)

In the exhibition halls of the institute's Deep-sea Heavy-duty Operation Equipment Laboratory and the Deep-sea Equipment Digital Operation and Maintenance Laboratory, the media delegation got up close with cutting-edge marine engineering developments, witnessing firsthand how scientific research capabilities "add wings" to the nation's deep-sea strategy and inject momentum into the Hainan FTP's blue future.

"I saw many novel technologies. What impressed me most was the beach-cleaning robot," said Filomeno Martins, an editor from Tatoli, Timor-Leste's national news agency. He noted that these technologies are dedicated to promoting harmonious coexistence between mankind and nature and benefiting the entire ocean, which makes their development even more meaningful.

On their last stop in Sanya, the media delegation visited the Sanya Electron Accelerator Mutagenesis Breeding Laboratory, where they learned about its innovative practices and initial achievements. Leveraging Hainan's unique climate and the advantages of the FTP, the lab employs cutting-edge technologies, such as electron beam radiation mutagenesis, to accelerate the genetic improvement of tropical crops and contribute to the development of the "Nanfan Agricultural Silicon Valley."

The Global South media delegation visits the Sanya Electron Accelerator Mutagenesis Breeding Laboratory. (Photo provided by the organizer)

Here, the reporters witnessed the wonderful sparks of technology and nature colliding on-site, illuminating the solid strides Hainan has made in agricultural technological innovation.

"The breeding technology in Sanya has left me amazed. Using the electron accelerator platform, more excellent new germplasm resources are being created for China's seed breeding strategy," said Satyen Bhuruth, a reporter from the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation. He added that the utilization of this technology provides a useful reference for addressing global food issues and that countries and regions in the Global South should learn from China's technological advancements.

The media delegation's visit to Sanya underscored the city's openness and will undoubtedly help to strengthen cooperative ties between Hainan and the Global South. Reporters on the tour generally agreed that Hainan's efforts in cultivating industrial policies, technology R&D, and innovative consumption models provide new ideas for developing countries. With the island-wide special customs operations approaching, the Hainan FTP is expected to become an important window for the Global South to share in China's development opportunities.